Panthers Conclude Regular Season with Draw

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Soccer) – The 17th-ranked Florida Tech Panthers had their share of opportunities against No. 7 Columbus State, but their bid to knock off a top 10 team was put on hold as Friday’s regular season finale ended in a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes of play.

Tech heads into the Sunshine State Conference Tournament with a 14-2-1 overall record.  Including Friday’s draw, the Panthers are now 13-1-1 in their last 15 matches.   Columbus State heads into its final match of the season with a record of 14-1-3.

“We could have come out a little more focused,” Tech head coach Fidgi Haig said.  “We started to play like ourselves after halftime.  In the final few minutes, the match could have gone either way, but I am pleased with a tie, however I know we can do better.”

It didn’t take long for Columbus State to put pressure on the Panthers.  Four minutes into the game, Gina Goforth broke away from the Tech defense and shot the ball into the net to give the Cougars the early lead.  The Crimson & Gray had chances of their own, but they were unable to put a foot or a head on a few crosses. 

The Panthers’ best opportunity of the first half came with less than nine minutes to play.  DeeDee Newland crossed the ball into the Cougars’ 18-yard box.  Kelly Whittaker trapped the ball and fired it toward the goal, but it just went over the crossbar.

Teresa Brantley notched her 14th goal of the season to tie the game in the 50th minute.  Paula Lillsjö fed the ball to Brantley, who touched it to her right and then nailed it past Columbus State’s goalkeeper to tie the game.

Melissa Pyles made a terrific diving stop on a shot by Stephanie Parrish with less than 10 minutes to play.  Parrish had another look at the goal in the 86th minute, but fortunately for Tech her shot nicked the crossbar.  Pyles concludes the regular season with an impressive 13-2-1 record, eight shutouts and a sparkling .065 goals against average. 

Prior to the match, the team honored its six seniors: Brantley, Jennifer Gillette, Brittany Gobish, Mikaela McKenney, Pyles and Therese Svensson.

“Our seniors mean a lot to us,” Haig said.  “Our players did not want them to end their regular season with a loss.  As a group, they have been great, and I look forward to good things from them in our next match.”

The Panthers earned the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in the upcoming SSC Tournament, which opens Tuesday, Nov. 3.  Since Rollins won the regular season championship with a 7-0-1 conference record along with 22 points, the Tars will host the tournament.  Tech will play the winner of the match between No. 3 Florida Southern and No. 6 Lynn on Friday, Nov. 6 at 4:30 p.m. on the campus of Rollins College.

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